Christian Pulisic returns to practice ahead of Milan-Genoa, weeks away from World Cup

The U.S. national team needs Christian Pulisic healthy for the World Cup, even as he weathers an extended scoreless streak. Marco Luzzani / Getty Images Share articleU.S. men’s national soccer team star Christian Pulisic was back at practice Wednesday for AC Milan, a week after being sidelined, providing hope he could appear in the side’s crucial game against Genoa on Sunday. Lower back pain kept Pulisic out of Milan’s game against Atalanta on Sunday. Milan went on to lose that game, 3-2, a loss that put the club in a precarious spot that could leave it out of next season’s UEFA Champions League. Only the top four Italian squads will compete in next season’s Champions League, and Milan is currently tied with Roma in points for the final slot. Sunday’s match against Genoa is Milan’s second-to-last game of the season, so its result — and how it compares to Roma’s result against Lazio in its own Sunday game — could be decisive. Milan closes its season with a home game against 16th-ranked Cagliari next week, while Roma will finish up against Verona, which is set for relegation with just three wins so far this season. Even when healthy, Pulisic has struggled to generate offense for Milan over his last 17 games. He hasn’t scored a goal since Dec. 28 in the longest goalless streak of his career. The World Cup is also one month away, and the Americans need Pulisic to regain his shot soon. Their first game is a friendly against Senegal on May 31, followed by another friendly against Germany on June 6. Real consequences will kick in on June 12, however, when the U.S. faces Paraguay in Inglewood, Calif. Pulisic is under immense pressure as he is expected to be one of the team’s top playmakers for the tournament. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms